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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Running Wall Residence

Compositional artistry
achieved in a contextual vocabulary, rooted in the vernacular, lends this
residence an imposing aura, in congruence with the architect’s vision and
mission…

Catering to an unusual
request for “a fortress-like house that cannot be scaled”, Thrissur-based Lijo.Reny.architects
had some serious thinking to do. Located
in a grungy district Kannur in Kerala, the design solution dictated an
intimidating piece of construction on a 2,183.09 sq.m plot with a floor area of
507.93
sq. m. bound by local elements in a local context.

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A combination of plastered
walls and exposed laterite (ubiquitously seen earlier in Keralite architecture)
provides an instant connect with the surroundings. “We thought that usage of
this stone in a new language, without losing its innate nature, would anchor the
design yet acknowledge the presence of a change,” explain principals Lijo Jos
and Reny Lijo.

.

Akin to a two-toned snake
winding its way from the compound through the landscaped courtyard, the wall with its random punctures add to the design in a rustic kind of way. The long driveway leads
one to a sit-out from where a sneak peek of hidden courts and landscaped spill-out
areas emerge.

.

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The intrigue only builds further
as one steps onto a clear glass bridge over a water body that overflows as a
cascade below the main door and into an internal lap pool. The corridor from
the main door forks into the living and dining, where both open out onto a huge
landscaped break-out space.

.

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Besides the bedrooms,
bathrooms, living and dining, this 3-level structure is akin to a labyrinth
comprising kitchen, rear backyard with an attached badminton court; internal
courtyard filled with banana trees, ferns and many tropical plants; home
theatre, study and corridors.

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With an intuitive sense of the
vernacular merging into the contemporary, the architects have indulged in a
play of levels on the ceiling; a combination of barrel vault and flat slab at
higher levels has vents to expel hot air. Also matching the circular ceiling
lights are round skylights that allow an abundance of sunlight and ventilation.

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Minute attention to detail
is seen in every facet of design - be it the sourcing of subtle yet differently-coloured
laterite stones from two separate quarries or the great lengths taken to fill
the vertical joints between the laterite stones with a mixture of white cement
and powdered laterite so as to visibly pronounce the horizontal lines which
“impart greater fluidity to the meandering wall”.

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Overall, the treatment of the
project makes it instrumental in influencing the way contemporary architecture
is practiced in Kerala – thus making it socially relevant with positive
ramifications.

The Running wall is the recipient of
IIA KC Award – GOLD LEAF for Excellence in Architecture (2012) and All
India Stone Architectural Awards in Landscape Category from CDOS (2012)